G.O.A.L. to get local students in college
By Geoff Belcher
May 14, 2014, 12:11

G.O.A.L. Board members with local school and city officials at the selection ceremony oat the Hancock Chamber.

G.O.A.L. (Graduates Obtain Advanced Learning) on Tuesday selected 20 Hancock County-area graduating seniors who will each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward college tuition for the next school year.
“It’s so touching to me that these people have given so much of themselves to ensure children in our area get a higher education,” Tish Williams, executive director of the Hancock Chamber, said Tuesday. “It just speaks well oof the people in our community.
“It could be the difference to give someone the confidence and the opportunity they need to pursue a college degree.
“This is the third year we’ve done this,” G.O.A.L. board member Rick Stinson said. The first year we were able to give $12,000; last year, $13,000, and this year, $20,000."
G.O.A.L. board members host various fundraisers throughout the year in order to raise money for the scholarships.
Guidance counselors at each of the county’s high schools submit names of deserving students to the G.O.A.L. board. G.O.A.L. then does a blind draw to see which students get the scholarships.
“I just want to thank the community for supporting us,” G.O.A.L. founder Linda Gleber said. “This year, we had 142 students to consider for financial support. We were able to help 20. I’d like to do more.”
G.O.A.L. will host its annual "GOALF" Tourney this Sunday, May 18, at The Bridges at Hollywood Casino, with a 1 p.m. tee-off. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. A hole-in-one will win a new Ford automobile from Henderson Ford. Gift bags from Craig Foster and complimentary beer from Res Distributing.
The format is four-person scramble. Coast is $50 per person (includes cart). For more, call 228-216-2179 or 228-216-6434; or go to www.goalhancockcounty.weebly.com.
100 percent of funds go to college tuition scholarships for graduating Hancock County-area high school students.